New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a fresh directive outlining detailed guidelines for the singing and playing of India’s National Song and National Anthem, aiming to ensure uniformity and strict adherence to established protocol across the country.
In an official communication dated 9 July 2026, the MHA directed Chief Secretaries and Administrators of all State Governments and Union Territories, as well as Secretaries of all Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, to ensure strict compliance with the prescribed rules.
According to the order, whenever both the National Song and the National Anthem are performed together, the National Song must always be sung or played first, followed by the National Anthem. The Ministry also clarified that if a State Song is performed along with the National Song and National Anthem, the sequence must remain unchanged, with the National Song preceding the National Anthem.
The MHA further stated that the official orders contain a comprehensive list of occasions on which the National Song and National Anthem are mandatory, as well as events where they may be sung or played. In certain specified ceremonies, both may be performed twice—at the beginning and at the conclusion of the event.
Emphasising the importance of preserving the dignity of the nation’s symbols, the Ministry directed that the official text, script, pronunciation and diction of both the National Song and the National Anthem must be followed meticulously during every performance.
To facilitate proper compliance, the Ministry has made the authorised text and pronunciation guides for both the National Song and the National Anthem available on its official website and has instructed all concerned institutions and organisations to implement the guidelines without deviation.
The directive, issued by Arvind Khare, Joint Secretary to the Government of India, reiterates the Government’s commitment to ensuring uniform observance of the National Song and National Anthem at official functions and public ceremonies across the country.